adminBongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
AN elated BaShupi (real name Peace Ndlovu) married his long time girlfriend – Wadzanai Gumbo at the Lutheran Church of Zimbabwe in Gweru on Saturday morning.
The star studded wedding saw musician Leonard Mapfumo of the Seiko fame and Ammara Brown being part of the 11-member bridal team while ZiFm host Tonderai “TK” Katsande, United Kingdom-based group BKay and Kazz who once worked with BaShupi on a song called Hello and former Zanu-PF spokesman Rugare Gumbo, who is Wadzanai’s uncle, among the guests.
During the reception, BaShupi, clad in a black and white tuxedo with a white shirt and bow tie, sang his own version of Mafikizolo’s Emlanjeni telling Wadzanai how he had been waiting to marry her. He was backed by Harare band, Jam Signal, much to the delight of guests. BaShupi said he had no intention of performing at his wedding but did so as his father-in-law, Samson Gumbo had asked him to do so.
One could have easily mistaken the wedding for a concert as guests kept asking for encore as they enjoyed his performances of hit tracks, Godo, Muridzo and Ma 1.
It was only after the intervention of the master of ceremony that he eventually left the stage. The artistic couple and their bridal team also kept the crowd entertained with dance routines to songs such as The Martins Doro Bucci.
The bride, who was the centre of attraction, wore a tailor-made mermaid bare back wedding gown which had a crystal beading right round. It was topped off by a bouquet of white roses.
The couple lit up the usually quiet City of Progress when their wedding procession went around the city. The convoy comprised of a stretch limousine carrying the newlyweds with the bridal team all in a Mercedes Benz.
After the wedding the two were thankful to everyone who came to support them.
Wadzanai said she had not slept for two days as she was working hard to ensure the day ran smoothly.
“I didn’t sleep as I was worrying about what would happen to this and that. However, when the day came, everything fell into place,” she said.
BaShupi said he was grateful that he fulfilled his late father’s wish to bring the family together in times of celebration, rather than sorrow.
“My father used to like gathering his family in times of joy rather than sorrow. This wedding was a fulfillment of that desire as I’ve brought together the families of Ndlovu, Maphosa – my mother’s surname and Gumbo,” he said.
Online Reporter